This has got to be one of the most ‘smokin deal’ bargains in Globe-Miami: join the Gila County Gem and Mineral Society – and you can learn how to do silversmith and wire-wrapping, for free, during classes every Wednesday afternoon. Learn the art of silversmithing  from 1:00–3:00 p.m., followed by wire-wrapping from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Membership is a bargain, too, at $15 per person or $25 for a couple (or $5 for students under age 18, or $40 for a family).

Silversmithing has quite a history here in Gila County – for more than a century artisans have fashioned jewelry, ornaments; utensils, trophies and more from silver extracted from our local mines. And wire-wrapping? Deceptively simple, it’s among the oldest ways to make unique jewelry by hand – and without having to solder or melt metals.

Classes will repeat on Wednesday afternoons throughout February and March – just one of many benefits of membership in the Gila County Gem and Mineral Society. Members also have access to rock-saws, cutting and polishing equipment – and a weekly invitation to learn from knowledgeable Globe-Miami geology enthusiasts.

Located in the very heart of Copper Country, the club was founded in 1956 by locals who shared a love for rocks and minerals. Our Cobre Valley is rich in mining history and continues to be a major source of copper, gold, silver and mineralogical treasures such as turquoise, azurite and chrysocolla.

Club leaders gather on the first Thursday each month for a business meeting; all other Thursdays are reserved for weekly workshops from 7:00 – 8:00 pm when members stop by to cut, polish or work on rock projects, or just socialize and check out other members’ works-in-progress. Download or print a membership form, or read more, online at gilagem.org, or mark your calendar for Thursday evening and stopby to meet Gem Club members at 413 Live Oak Street in Miami, next to Oasis Insurance. New members are also welcome to simply mail a check or money order with your club dues to Gila County Gem & Mineral Society, PO Box 487 Miami, AZ 85539. Questions? Call Jodi Brewster 623-810-9780 or email jodibrewster66@gmail.com